Found the Bench!

A quick update from London... I know I have not been good about letting you all know what I have been up to, where I have been in the city, how much fun I have been having, etc., but rest assured that I have been busy and I am loving it! I got up today and decided I would venture out to find the Hornblow bench. It was quite the treasure hunt. I first thought Grovesner Park was the right park until I realized none of the benches said Hornblow on them and that I really wasn't at the right spot after all. I eventually found it though based on the landmarks that Caroline provided me with. Here is a video I took!




After I found the bench, I walked down Park Lane and toward Knightsbridge. Visited the huge Harvey Nichols and Harrod's sales. Very overwhelming. Sales were good, but a lot of things were still quite expensive (i.e. Burberry purse that I liked: originally $3000, on sale for $1200 or something) haha. So I mainly just window-shopped. I've found that the clothes in London are either really cheap [fabric and cheap-looking] or incredibly expensive. Still searching for that happy medium...

Also - on two different occasions today, people asked me for directions. First, a British lady was looking for the Dorchester. I was able to give her good directions! Then, an American couple approached me and I was able to lead them in the right direction. They wanted to go to the Hard Rock cafe. Typical Americans. haha.

Additionally - visited London Business School yesterday.

It's awesome. I may just be moving to London. First I went to the tour of the school and brief info session - every Monday and Friday at 3pm - found this on the website. It was a small group of about 5 of us. Most had already been given an offer and were just checking out the school. The school is literally 2 tube stops away from my hotel at Marble Arch (had to switch trains once). LBS is relatively small at around 320 people per class size, 25% women, but it would give me the perfect global MBA experience - should that be what I want. So the tour/info session was 1.5 hrs long and then it just so happened that they also had an Admissions meeting later that evening. What are the chances? I think these are offered about 3 times between Jan and May. So I went back for the Admissions meeting where they talked about getting in, had a short mock class on Fixed Income, had a panel of 5 current students and alum, and a Q&A. So for the panel, there is a a German girl, an Italian guy, a girl from Holland, a guy from the U.S., and a British guy. We get into the panel and the American guy mentions that he went to a small college in MN for undergrad - St. Olaf!! He then moved to NYC for work, and is now in his first year at LBS. Seems like a great school. The average age though is a little higher than schools in the U.S. at around 29. And it would be more expensive than any other school I'm looking at in the U.S. Ok gotta get going... ttyl!

(Another) Change of Plans

I'm staying until Saturday.

Re-booked my flight this morning.

I need more time in London.......

Saturday Morning.

I am in London!

My morning went a little like this…
.
Alarm went off around 6:15am and I found myself craving a day of sleeping in, but I couldn’t argue with myself since I knew London was only a few hours away.
Was too tired to take the train from Amsterdam into Schipol so I jumped into a cab from the hotel. Or maybe it was my booze-induced headache; whatever. I didn’t feel like schlepping my luggage over in up down and around the station.
I get to the airport way too early, but I guess better too early than too late.
Killed some time in the shops and bought some of my favorite Milka chocolate… the kind with the huge hazelnuts engulfed in a sea of milk chocolate. I was never a chocolate person, but this stuff may make me convert.
Ate chocolate hazelnut deliciousness for breakfast.
Why? Because I felt like it. Haha..
Planned my London arrival in my head.
Find ATM. Get pounds.
Buy 1-way Gatwick Express ticket. Get on Gatwick Express. Double make sure it’s the right train. Keep track of belongings.
Don’t lose passport.
Went to the terminal way ahead of time. Waited for the gate to be announced.
Waited.
Waited.
Waited.
There is no seating area. Just a huge crowd of people staring up at this one monitor waiting for the gate to post.
Waited some more.
Finally it posted 25 min. before the flight was due to leave.
Everyone flying to Gatwick took off to the gate like a herd of cattle.
Waited in boarding area like a herd of cattle (no assigned seats since it’s one of those discount airlines).
Finally boarded and said good-bye to Amsterdam. Very short flight, under an hour in the air.
Oh and I was able to buy my Gatwick Express ticket on the plane via credit card. 16 pounds. What a deal.
Got into Gatwick. Walked about a mile or more to customs.
Got my passport stamped!
Picked up luggage. Went to South terminal to catch the train. Now here is where I can see that it’s easy to get on the wrong train. Yes, there are signs everywhere saying which train is going where, but when all you’re thinking about is getting to the city to
Eat
Drink Pimms & Lemonade
Shop
See a play
Visit a museum
Get lost in the city
It’s easy for the mind to wander and just step on the wrong train in over-excitement.
Luckily this didn’t happen to me. I asked to be sure and then asked again. I was headed to nonstop Victoria station.
And here I am.
On the Gatwick Express.
Weather is cold. As in -7 degrees Celsius. Whatever that converts to? Very cloudy and foggy. Feels a tad warmer than Amsterdam though.
I’ll try to find some Wi-Fi somewhere around my hotel to post this.
More to come!
Xo
L

Last Day in Amsterdam

Last night in Amsterdam so I'm going out with some colleagues and then I head to London tomorrow!! At first I thought 5 days in London may be a little bit much all by my lonesome, but now I'm thinking it's not enough! I'm flying on a discount airline called EasyJet so hopefully that gets me (and my luggage) to Gatwick without problems. Luckily for me, Aunt Caroline has given me the 411 on how to get from Gatwick to my hotel off Park Lane without having to take out a small loan for a taxi (the Marriott website recommended a taxi). I'll be flying out of Heathrow back to the U.S. so that will be much closer and convenient. Anyway, not much time for a post tonight as I have one last call in 30 minutes with some folks in the U.S., and then I have a week off to myself. Also, not sure how the wi-fi situation will work out so I'll try to keep yall updated, but no promises until I arrive and scope out the situation. I've been paying 20 euro a day on the client's dime for internet, but on my own dime, I think I'll pass. haha. In any event, I have my iPod touch so if I do find wi-fi, I can at least check my Gmail if anyone wants to email me!

So I'm still not sure exactally what I'll be wandering around doing, but I found this list of 101 things to do to help get me started (in addition to lots of great suggestions from C). Like I said, I've already done a lot of these 4 years ago, but some might be fun to go back to. Here's the list:
1. Visit the Big Ben.
2. Photograph the Thames River.
3. Take a river cruise on the Thames.
4. Visit the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. You can take a river cruise to get there!
5. Ride on the London Eye, the largest ferris wheel in the world.
6. Stop by Grosvenor Square.
7. Immerse yourself in culture at the British Museum.
8. Watch a Broadway show.
9. Buy gifts for friends and family at the over 300 shops located on Oxford Street.
10. Stroll down The Mall, a road that leads to the Buckingham Palace.
11. Visit the Buckingham Palace.
12. Experience the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
13. Hike up the geometric staircase at a St. Paul's Cathedral tour.
14. Take a bus through one of London's largest transportation hubs: Victoria Station.
15. Pub much? Be sure to visit one of the J.D Wetherspoon chain pubs.
16. Take the London Underground: These trains have cushioned seats and there's a nice LED display overhead that gives riders the estimated time for the next train.
17. Make sure to "mind the gap."
18. Go on the Circle Line ... in a circle. (I did this in college.)
19. Witness the fountains in Trafalgar Square, or photograph the great Christmas tree that is erected during the winter
20. Tour the Tower of London, where you can see the very precious Crown Jewels.
21. Find out where British Prime Minister Gordon Brown lives: 10 Downing Street. Visit his residence.
22. Sherlock Holmes fan? Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
23. See hundreds of books, writings, and photographs related to the Holocaust at the Wiener Library.
24. Be amazed when you visit Stonehenge, which is outside the city.
25. Grab lunch at the Porter's English Restaurant (17 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden).
26. Enjoy the scenic nightlife in Piccadilly Circus, which is likened to the Times Square of England.
27. ...and spend some time with the teenager in you at the Funland or Golden Nugget Casino located within Trocadero. The centre is packed with dining and other entertainmnent venues as well.
28. Visit the global headquarters of Reuters at Canary Wharf.
29. At the Victoria and Albert Museum, walk through rooms filled with ceramic and glass designs, as well as beautiful paintings.
30. Take the family and have a picnic in Battersea Park.
31. ...then take the kids to the Battersea Park Children's Zoo.
32. Experience the diversity of the Golders Green borough, with a mix of Kosher, Japanese, Turkish, and Italian restaurants.
33. Get seen on the London cam.
34. Check out Belgravia's beautiful streets of townhouses and famous embassies.
35. Go shopping at Harrod's in Belgravia.
36. ...and sample some ale at the Grenadier pub in Belgravia after you finished shopping (18 Wilton Row).
37. Stop through Bayswater.
38. Explore the galleries at the National Army Museum.
39. Set aside at least two hours to explore the extravagantly decorated rooms at the St. George's Chapel in the Windsor Castle.
40. Witness Evensong at the Windsor Castle. (Be sure to check the schedule!)
41. Embrace the vastness of Queen Mary's Dolls' House, which is also located inside the Windsor Castle.
42. Check out the wax sculptures at the Madame Tussaud's museum.
43. Step through the academic city by stopping in Bloomsbury.
44. ...then enjoy the lunch you packed for your trip at Bloomsbury's nearby Russell Square.
45. Absorb the history of Covent Garden in central London.
46. Wake up early and experience the local flavor of Spitalfields and be sure to check out the fruit and vegetable market!
47. While in the Spitalfields area, go to Dennis Severs' House.
48. Explore the city by water (and in comfort) by taking a lunch or dinner cruise.
49. Learn about the Bank of England at its museum.
50. Set your sights on the beautiful architecture at Westminster Abbey.
51. ...and be sure not to leave without viewing the monuments at Poets' Corner.
52. Relive the life of The Beatles.
53. See a show at the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
54. Buy your children toys from Hamleys Toy Store.
55. Go to Hampstead Heath to see the city from afar.
56. Catch a movie premiere at the cinema in Leicester Square.
57. Take a train to Dover, and witness the famous White Cliffs.
58. Witness the protestors at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, and take a guided tour or attend the London's fair during the winter holidays.
59. Prepapre for an expensive dinner at the highly regarded Michael Moore restaurant (19 Blandford Street).
60. Stroll down Whitehall.
61. Contrast the city lifestyle to the village life in Canterbury, home of Geoffrey Chaucer's famous tales.
62. See where the Mayor of London lives: City Hall.
63. Get overwhelmed by the massive monuments at the London Wall.
64. Photograph one of the many red phone booths on the city streets.
65. Read a book at one of London's specialized libraries.
66. If you're in London between March and October, check out Legoland Windsor with the kids.
67. Book a night for a show at the London Palladium Theatre.
68. Step into royal history at the Hampton Court Palace.
69. Enjoy an organic meal at the Lavendar Lady restaurant (644 High Road, North Finchley).
70. Stroll around the aisles in the National Gallery and see some of the greatest European artwork.
71. Wine and dine at the House on the Bridge Restaurant.
72. Take advantage of free admission to the Science Museum.
73. Pay tribute to the late princess Diana by visiting the Diana Memorial Playground where you can dash by teepees, see a pirate ship, and then enjoy a light meal at a cafe.
74. Relax and have a drink at the Salisbury Pub (90 St. Martin's Lane).
75. See the city on a Original London Sightseeing Tour: book your ticket (which includes a free cruise) online at a discounted rate.
76. Watch a judicial hearing at the UK Parliament.
77. When it reopens (Summer 2007), walk through the newly transformed London's Transport Museum.
78. See the animals at London Zoo.
79. Ride in a traditional London black cab.
80. Shop at the elegant Burlington Arcade, which has its history dating back to 1819.
81. See where Princes William and Harry went to school by stopping in Eton.
82. Be up close to The Da Vinci Code movie and explore the Temple Church.
83. Relive the Harry Potter books and movies by stopping at Platform 9 3/4 in the Kings Cross station.
84. See the exhibitions at Tate Modern, a museum of international modern and contemporary art.
85. Get spooked at the London Dungeon.
86. Visit the Notting Hill district.
87. Take the kids to a puppet show at the Little Angel Theatre.
88. Sample some Italian food at Carluccios.
89. Feed the ducks at St. James's Park.
90. Cross the River Thames on the Millennium Bridge.
91. Read Charles Dickens much? Take a Charles Dickens Museum stop to see paintings, manuscripts, and more memorabilia relating to the famous author.
92. Explore Chinatown at night.
93. Plan an adventure at Chesssington, one of England's most famous theme parks (it's 12 miles outside of London!)
94. Eat lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe (150 Old Park Lane).
95. Take a tour of Wimbledon, even if you don't love tennis!
96. Go to Bath and see the magnificent Roman bathing complexes that give the city its name.
97. Enjoy the culture at the Somerset House.
98. Feel scholarly after taking a trip to Oxford.
99. Buy some Cadbury sweets.
100. Watch a live Gilbert and Sullivan operetta performance at the historical Savoy Theatre.
101. Buy a London Pass for more tips and discounted rates!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Change of Plans

Surprised? Me neither. But before I go into what the next few weeks holds, here’s a quick update from the past two days…

I got all caught up on sleep the first night and have enjoyed feeling well-rested so honestly, I have not so much been up for going out in the city. I want to take advantage of being in Amsterdam of course, but it’s been so cold so I’d rather be in bed at a decent time, and not curse my alarm clock when it rings at 6:30am for work. So with that said, my update isn’t too exciting. We’ve been working until around 7pm, then taking the 7:30pm train back to the city so we don’t really get back until a little after 8pm. Tuesday, 4 of us Deloitters went out for a Mediterranean dinner. Mediterranean is one of my favorite cuisines! I love hummus, the yogurt-based cucumber sauces, the greek vinaigrette flavors, pita bread, etc. I was very tempted to get the chicken dish, but decided to go for the yoghurt and grilled lamb entrée on top of a pita. It was dark meat, but quite tender oval strips of grilled lamb on top of pitas and a little bit of tomato-based sauce with yoghurt dipping sauces on the side, with an authentic hummus appetizer. We also tried a Turkish alcoholic drink called Raki. It tastes kind of like Sambuca and black licorice. In Turkey, raki is the unofficial 'national drink' and it is traditionally drunk mixed with water. The dilution causes this alcoholic drink to turn a milky-white color, and possibly because of its color, this mixture is popularly called aslan sütü (or arslan sütü), literally meaning "lion's milk" (Wikipedia). So we drank some lion’s milk… and it wasn’t very good (not sweet enough for me), but I tried it.

Wednesday was business as usual. Not much to report here. Oh I did run into one of my friends on the train that I had met back in December. We randomly got to talking last time and he was telling me all about his move from Mirabella (France) to Holland. It’s very interesting learning about the difference in schooling, culture, etc., and he speaks about 5 languages. Anyway, I pretty much worked all day Wednesday, got back to Amsterdam around 8:15pm, walked by my favorite soup place, picked up some soup, went back to my lovely hotel, did some research for a new project, and went to bed.

Ok now onto the latest updates on my travel plans. Basically, a lot has changed! I was originally planning on being here for 2 weeks, then traveling to Barcelona, then flying to London, then flying back to the U.S. on 1/21. Well, we are ahead of schedule so we were all asked to move our flights to this Saturday, and then plan to be in Santa Clara next week. I am determined to go to London so I explained my former plan to my manager’s manager and asked if I could at least take Monday off and then go to London Saturday-Tuesday, and then fly directly to Santa Clara from Heathrow on late Monday or early Tuesday. Well she proposed that I just move my vacation week (scheduled for 1/19) up one week and then go to Santa Clara the following week (1/26). Yay. That means I get to go to London! I am skipping Barcelona since my colleagues are no longer going. So I am headed to London on Saturday… flying out of Amsterdam on Saturday morning 9am, and staying until 1pm on Wednesday, so about 5 days. Looks like I will be making friends when I get there. Since it’s kind of last minute planning, I’ll most definitely be flying by the seat of my pants, but I do know that I will be staying at the Marriott on Park Lane (and using 110,000 Marriott points!). So I’ll get back late Wednesday evening next week, then I have a meeting with a partner in Irving the following day, and I need to look for a new project, then I’ll get to enjoy the long weekend (MLK on Monday) and get caught up on sleep. On that Tuesday after MLK, I head back to Santa Clara for my final week on Sun. I rolloff the project for good on 1/23 and it looks like I may be un-staffed for awhile… not sure if that means 2 weeks or 2 months or more…

Uh-MAZE-ing

So I was in a bit of a rush last night, not to mention a state of exhaustion, so I forgot to properly welcome everyone back to my blog. I have returned to Amsterdam for who knows how long, and thus, decided to keep the blog alive for the remainder of my stay here in Holland or wherever else my European travels take me. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I hope 2009 is a year full of joy for all! And I guess what better way to kick off the year than a trip to Amsterdam? Granted, it is starting to feel routine flying out here, but I’m hoping this time I will finally get a chance to explore, jump over to the UK, and do what I want to do, un-interrupted by client demands and my inbox. We will see! For now, I am content knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, i.e. I have definitely been confirmed for roll-off on January 16th.

Anyway, Christmas break is over and here I am. In Amsterdam. Again. Remember when I was here a couple months ago and I had small creatures in my hotel room? Well because of the infamous mice that ate my granola bars at the Victoria, I decided to book a different hotel this time around. Let me preface this by saying that I am a hotel snob. Yep, that’s right. I learned early on in my consulting career the difference between good (W Hotel New York) and bad (Best Western, Houston). In both the former and the latter, I faced flight cancellations and had to scramble for an overnight stay until I could get home. So anyway, this time I booked the Marriott Renaissance. I had stayed there back in August a few nights and remembered the nice beds, but that it had been under construction so the entry way was kind of ghetto (read: in an alleyway). Well, the complete renovation has been finished because when I walked into the new glistening lobby, my mouth about dropped. It’s an amazing hotel! Not only was I impressed with the lobby, but it looks as if I have been upgraded to a nicer room (thank you Platinum status), free breakfast every day (thank you again), and free drink coupons for the bar (woo-hoo!). I am finally reaping the benefits of my Marriott loyalty. I stayed 97 nights last year alone (which by the way does not include all my stays at Sheraton properties or Hilton properties… yes, this may be why I am a hotel snob). I will post pics of the hotel later...

Here we go again...

I am back! And I am very sleep-deprived… the flight was around 10 hours and quite uncomfortable, but I maybe slept an hour or two. Come to think of it, I believe I have pulled more all-nighters post-college than I did in college! We landed in Amsterdam at 8am local time (1am Central U.S. time). My Deloitte manager happened to be on my flight which was pretty nice since he had already reserved a car for us at Schipol upon arrival. He also informed me that travel plans could be changing, and that we may only be here one week – flying back to the U.S. this weekend and working in Santa Clara next week. This is a problem for 2 reasons… one, have been planning on going to London and two, I packed enough clothes to stay here for several weeks (a girl has got to have options). Had I known I would only be here a week, I would have carried on my luggage and packed extremely light. But, in true [consulting] fashion, we will not know what the next few weeks hold until later in the week. More to come on that. Anyway, I watched the sunrise from the cab ride over to the client, and have managed to make it through the day… somehow… only with 1 redbull. I haven’t been too productive since my eyes have really just been glazing over my computer screen, but hopefully I am at least LOOKING like I’m being productive. Gotta get going for now, but check back for more updates shortly.
Xo Laura